More than 33 million years ago, a mighty river flowed through western Nebraska. Wind and water deposited sandstone, limestone, and volcanic ash in the area. Over millions of years, the flowing water wore away at these deposits, forming the incredible rock formations that today make up Toadstool Geologic Park near Crawford.
Over millennia, the rock deposits grew to huge heights, towering over the surrounding landscape.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Occasional bands of red and green can be seen in the layers of rock.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The colored bands indicate the weather conditions in the years in which those layers of volcanic ash were deposited.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Green bands were deposited during dry years, while red bands indicate oxidized ash that was deposited in wet seasons.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
This area of western Nebraska was once home to many species of prehistoric animals.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Camels, rhinos, turtles, saber toothed cats, horses, tusked deer, early dogs, birds, tapirs, and many more ancient species inhabited the humid subtropical climate.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
As the centuries passed and the animals died out, their skeletons were perfectly preserved in the changing landscape.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Some of the rock formations have even been found to contain footprints of the prehistoric beasts.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
So many well-preserved and important specimens have been uncovered here that the site has long been an area of special research.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Of course, most of us visit today for the otherworldly rock formations. A visit here is almost like a visit to an alien world.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The ancient erosion wore away at the softer lower rock, leaving narrow pedestals with “caps” of harder rock on top.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The distinctive eroded formations look somewhat like toadstools, giving the park its name.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Natural forces have continued to shape the landscape; this photo from 1905 shows how much the formations have degraded in just one century.
By Congregational Church of Nebraska - http://www.rootsweb.com/~nechurch/Congregl/congrNE/pics/cne00184.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=768845
Visitors can walk through history on the short but interesting trail through the park. You can even camp there overnight for a small fee.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The views at dusk are worth it, and the pitch-black night sky lets you see so many stars that you almost feel as though you’re in space.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
This is without a doubt Nebraska’s most distinctive landscape. It’s often called Nebraska’s Badlands.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Although it’s out of the way for most people in Nebraska, Toadstool Geologic Park is well worth the drive. You won’t find another place like it in the state.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
You may very well see fossils on your visit, but please be aware that it is illegal to remove souvenirs from the park. Some of the rock formations are fragile – not to mention dangerous – and visitors are advised to stick to the trail. Be especially careful if you’re visiting in wet or icy conditions.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By Congregational Church of Nebraska - http://www.rootsweb.com/~nechurch/Congregl/congrNE/pics/cne00184.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=768845
The entrance fee is $3 per vehicle for day use only, or $5 per vehicle if you plan to camp. There are vault toilets on site, but you’ll need to bring your own water.
To get there from Crawford: Crawford to intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 2 North on Highway 2 to Toadstool Road – 4.2 miles Toadstool Road to FS Road #902 – 11.4 miles FS Road #902 – 1.4 miles to Toadstool Campground
For even more awesome things to do in the Panhandle, check out 15 Reasons Everyone Should Visit Nebraska’s Panhandle.
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